LOS ANGELES (Azat TV) – Rui Hachimura’s reunion with the Los Angeles Lakers carried all the emotional weight of a four-year tenure before basketball reality quickly set in on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. The forward, who departed the Lakers in free agency this offseason to sign a two-year, $28-million deal with the L.A. Clippers, finished with 16 points in a 125-117 defeat to his former crosstown club, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Before tipoff, the atmosphere was decidedly warm. Hachimura received a loud ovation during starting introductions and watched a video tribute played by the Lakers during the first timeout. Warm embraces marked his pregame routine, including a lighthearted moment where he jokingly walked toward the wrong locker room and hugs shared with guard Austin Reaves and player development coach Beau Levesque. Reaves, who developed a close bond with Hachimura over their shared seasons in L.A., admitted earlier in the week that their friendship had an unusual beginning.
“I’d sit by him on the plane and he didn’t speak to me,” Reaves said in an interview published by Lakers Nation. “After that, I couldn’t get him to shut up. Great guy, great player and I miss him.”
Shifting Dynamics and On-Court Rivalry
Once the game tipped, sentimentality faded. Luka Doncic waved off a screen specifically to draw the defensive matchup against his former teammate, later hitting Hachimura with a mock-disgust wave after Hachimura drained an early three-pointer over him. As Hachimura began piling up points during a tight first half, the arena sentiment shifted; a fan notably yelled “Traitor!” as the forward kept converting shots.
The Lakers ultimately pulled away by outscoring the Clippers 39-26 in the third quarter. While Hachimura enjoyed a reliable supporting role in L.A. alongside elite scorers where he shot 44.3% from beyond the arc last season, his transition to the Clippers has placed him under a heavier offensive burden. On Friday, he registered the second-most shot attempts for his new squad, going 5 for 14 from the field and 3 for 6 from deep, lowering his early-season efficiency numbers to 29.6% from the floor while averaging 13 points and seven rebounds.
Clippers Coach Addresses Early Adaptation Challenges
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue acknowledged that playing a first game back in an old arena can be deeply disorienting, drawing on his own experience of returning to face the Lakers with the Washington Wizards in 2002. Addressing Hachimura’s adjustment to becoming a primary focal point of opponent scouting reports, Lue emphasized the need for faster execution and better timing.
“I think understanding some of the actions we’re trying to run from him, like being quicker, being faster, not allowing guys to get back to his body so he can come off open, and just timing things,” Lue said. With the Clippers dropping to 0-2 on the young season, coaching staff will look to unlock Hachimura’s transition scoring and post-up opportunities as teams increasingly send defensive double-teams.